Becker, volunteers produce epic fireworks show for community

BONNERS FERRY — An Independence Day parade and fireworks were held on Saturday, July 3, to celebrate the birth of the United States, and patriotism was on full display in Bonners Ferry.

Historically, Gary Leonard organizes the fireworks show in Bonners Ferry and previously produced nine shows for the community. The previous year had much concern and issues because of COVID-19 disruptions.

This year, John Becker was able to help the community and organized the fireworks show and the 9B Arenacross event at the fairgrounds.

Becker thanked Gary Leonard for his many years of putting this display together, and “like most things, you don’t truly appreciate the work someone else is doing until you have to do it yourself.”

According to Becker, the cost to produce the fireworks show was around $17,000, but final estimates are still being totaled.

“We came very close to meeting that budget in donations,” Becker said.

Fortunately, many businesses and concerned citizens contributed almost the whole amount, and donations were about $16,500.

Becker said the large expenses included firing system ($3,300), fireworks ($5,130), igniters ($403), mortar pipe ($1,800), mortar plugs ($1,387), insurance ($3,200), permits ($235), prebuilt mortars ($807) and larger miscellaneous supplies ($300).

All those expenses came in late in the planning process this year, and the hope moving forward is to get a head start for next year’s festivities.

“We’d love to get a head start on 2022, so that we can buy our fireworks and other materials earlier in the year,” Becker said, “If anyone would like to donate, they may go to Mountain West Bank in Bonners Ferry and donate directly to the account.”

With a check to Forerunner Enterprises, donations can be made to P.O. Box 1403 Bonners Ferry, ID, paid via Venmo to @John-Becker191 or PayPal to forerunneridaho@gmail.com.

Many in the community went to social media to thank Becker for his work.

“I’ve had a lot of great feedback for sure, Becker said, “We’ve had many great shows over the years, and I’m honored that folks feel this one ranks up there with them.”

A humble Becker suggested the positive feedback was due to not having a fireworks show last year, but he was quick to thank the team of volunteers that spent countless hours putting the show together.

“Without their time and commitment, the show certainly wouldn’t have been what it was,” Becker said.

There were a few complaints throughout social media suggesting the fireworks show should have been on Sunday, or they were unaware of the fireworks date and time.

According to Becker, there were several reasons for choosing Saturday to do fireworks instead of Sunday.

“Most stem [reason for Saturday] from volunteer availability and my own personal schedule this year,” Becker said.

Additionally, setting up, then tearing down and cleaning up takes an entire day; all work is voluntary and would require people to request a day off from work to clean up.

Becker felt that the parade would be better attended on a Saturday than a Sunday and wanted to respect the religious population that goes to church and may not be able to enjoy or participate in the parade and fireworks show.

Becker also helps to promote the 9B Arenacross event and was able to move the event one week so the Independence Day weekend could be packed with activities.

“That saved me from having to ask volunteers to give up back-to-back weekend,” Becker said, “It also gave me an add-on to the Arenacross event for this year, which was something fun to take advantage of.”

Volunteers included Tracey Collier, Eric Wright, Matthew Brakeman, Forrest Clark, Neil Dyer, Josh Rassmusen, Adam Reeves, Caleb Perez, April Becker, Brodie Becker, Jeremiah Becker and Kaitlyn Becker.

Sunday also had additional volunteers show up to help clean, including Libby Reeves, Cyrus Andrade and Will Cotter.

Additionally, Becker thanks the Boundary County Commissioners and the legal team for sitting down together. Both parties came up with a very reasonable plan to move forward with the fireworks display through some civil conversations.

“I’d like to thank all of our donors. This show is 100% community funded and I feel extremely blessed by all of the contributions,” Becker said, “many hours working outside in some of the hottest days we’ve ever seen in Boundary County and for their time away from their families during the Fourth of July weekend.”